Chương 25: Chapter 25: Three Taboos

Upon hearing this, Ke Long's gaze stalled, and a hint of wariness crept into his eyes as he looked toward Shi Dali, "I didn't expect Shi to be so well-informed about the intricacies within. It seems I was the shortsighted one."

"What, you want a piece of the action too?" Ke Long asked with a sardonic smile, clenching his fist hidden in his sleeve.

"Are you really stupid, or are you just pretending?" Shi Dali sighed helplessly, unconcerned with Ke Long's threat, "You've exposed yourself in the current situation. It's a big taboo to attack a teammate, and everyone will be on guard against you. Now that you've clearly turned against Shi Guanming, as long as he's alive, do you still expect to live peacefully one day? Aren't you worried that at a critical moment, he'll set you up?"

"Don't think he's just a newbie. Newbies are the ones who tend to disregard the rules the most. In a desperate situation, dragging you down with him isn't impossible."

"Ha, don't try to scare me. It's not my first time in a place like this." Ke Long maintained his carefree demeanor, "But I don't mind listening to your 'wise suggestions'?"

"It's simple. I'll take care of this problem for you." Shi Dali glanced in the direction of the private chambers where no one had emerged.

Ke Long laughed mockingly, "You talk a good talk. You just want to hog all the benefits for yourself, acting like some kind of saint."

Shi Dali did not get angry but nodded naturally, "We are strangers. Do you believe I would take risks and help you for nothing?"

"I help you take care of Shi Guanming and ensure it's done seamlessly so that no one will suspect you. Then, I'll find someone else to compensate you. If we cooperate, I assure you we'll both have our share of benefits when we leave this place." Shi Dali's expression softened as he spoke of benefits, with longing in his eyes, "You know it well. If we exploit the rules in the script to kill off a teammate, we can delay receiving the next script. It's a win-win."

Ke Long was persuaded, not by Shi Dali's eloquence but by weighing the pros and cons. Shi Dali was indeed his best potential ally. "How can I trust you?"

"I don't care. This is just a proposition. You can also refuse," Shi Dali shrugged. "I can also approach Kuang Hongyi. He has a very special air about him, which might indicate he is from 'that' side. Moreover, that newbie, Chu Xi, is also decent."

Ke Long suddenly laughed, extending his hand politely as his attitude did a 180-degree turn, "I'd be honored to work with a man of Shi's stature."

Shi Dali also smiled, their hands clasping tightly together, "I knew you were an astute man, Ke, which is why you're my top choice."

"However, we've already startled the snake. Now that Shi Guanming knows to be wary of me, even if he's foolish, what's your plan?" Ke Long's main concern was this.

"Later, we're going to the Hall of Respect, where Master Feng has prepared paper effigies for us. There are many sayings about these effigies. We must cut our middle fingers, use the blood from the fingertips to dot the foreheads of the paper effigies, which completes the ownership ritual, or in jargon, 'claiming mastership.' Besides that, there is one major taboo for the paper effigies."

"The paper effigies absolutely must not have their eyes dotted." Ke Long seemed to understand Shi Dali's plan, "You mean to say, while Shi Guanming is unsuspecting, we... for his paper effigy..."

Shi Dali gave a slight smile, "Not we. Me. You just need to leave the scene as quickly as possible without drawing suspicion. Otherwise, once Shi Guanming dies suddenly, Kuang Hongyi, and others, will likely suspect you."

"Shi Guanming's attention will be on you; he won't guard against me," Shi Dali looked at Ke Long, changing his tone, "But after this is done, you must cooperate with me fully. We're in this together, and if something happens to me, you won't get off easily either."

Ke Long nodded, "Don't worry, Shi. I still have that much integrity. Now that the investigation has made progress, we no longer need so many to make mistakes. I think we should be more aggressive, rather than conservatively get rid of only one person each. If we have the opportunity to keep all these people here, then..."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Kuang Hongyi alone isn't easy to handle. Let's be content with what we've got," Shi Dali interrupted Ke Long's unrealistic fantasies.

"Heh, I was just speaking off the cuff. I'll follow Shi's lead."

Hurried footsteps approached, belonging to Kuang Hongyi and Yang Xiao, "It's about time. Let's head over."

Once everyone regathered, no one commented on Ke Long's scheme to exploit his teammates, as if that matter had been selectively forgotten—even Shi Guanming himself quieted down.

Following the path they had taken during the day, they arrived outside the large residence where Master Feng stayed. By now, the sky had grown dim, and silence cloaked the courtyard.

The altar in the hall had been rearranged, with a large white curtain added to the outside. Through the white curtain, you could make out shadowy figures inside, illuminated by candlelight, as if several people were standing there.

A white lantern hung from a thin bamboo pole on either side of the hall's entrance door, each lantern bearing a bold 'Condolence' character written with a thick brush.

With an evening breeze, the large white lanterns swung from side to side, casting an even more sinister atmosphere.

Su Tingting's face turned pale, her hands trembling uncontrollably. With such decorations, it would be a pity if nothing eerie happened.

Kuang Hongyi stepped forward to the threshold of the hall's entrance where there was a black stone, which upon closer inspection, turned out to be a weight from a steelyard balance.

Underneath the weight was a piece of yellow paper, unfolded to reveal a letter written in a sloped and twisted hand. The content was straightforward: Master Feng, in his benevolence, had prepared a paper effigy for each of them to claim as their own.

The letter ended with three warnings which put everyone on alert. The first was to draw eyes for the paper effigy, outlining them without actually making them see, and afterward, to tear off a piece of cloth and cover the effigy's eyes.

The second guideline was to put tiny shoes on the effigy, taking care not to exert too much force, lest they pierce the effigy's 'skin.'

The third and most important rule was to have the effigy 'recognize its master.' The way to do this was to cut one's middle finger and place a drop of blood between the effigy's brows without letting any splatter on the rest of the effigy's body.

Completing these three steps in order would conclude the effigy's recognizing-the-master ritual, providing additional security for the night.

On the back of the letter was a simple diagram, like a child's sketch, so straightforward that everyone understood after a few glances. It showed the layout of the hall for the night.

The left and right sides of the hall were partitioned into several strange cubicles—with four on the left and three on the right. Each cubicle was depicted containing a person.

Xu Su nodded slightly, "It seems we are still split into two groups. Our group of four on the left, the other group of three on the right, each person in a small room, minding their own business."

"What happens if someone accidentally breaks a taboo?" Shi Guanming suddenly asked, "Like, for example, dotting the eyes of the paper effigy."

"Then the paper effigy would become more than just a stand-in. It would come to life, gradually becoming more and more like us," Kuang Hongyi said in a stern voice after putting away the yellow paper.

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